May 29, 2016

Pete Mackanin to continue trimming Ryan Howard's playing time

The Phillies spent their Memorial Day weekend getting swept by baseball's best team in Chicago. They didn't score more than two runs in either of the three games and the first base platoon seemed to go in favor of Tommy Joseph. The rookie first baseman played two out of the three games against the Cubs, going 2-for-8 with a home run. Meanwhile, 36-year-old Ryan Howard played on Saturday and went 0-for-4 with two strikeouts.

Following Sunday's loss, Phillies skipper Pete Mackanin spoke about the platoon and how he plans to continue trimming Howard's playing time and that it would make no sense to have Joseph sit on the bench after being called up.

Pete Mackanin said he will continue to trim Ryan Howard playing time. More and reaction from Howard coming on https://t.co/4Q4x9h8HjV

No better time than now to with Howard having issues hitting even the common fastball with his slowing bat speed. A career .260 hitter, Howard is hitting .154 this season with eight homers, 18 RBI's and 50 strikeouts in 134 at-bats. There is no doubting Howard's contribution to the Phillies success in their playoff years, including two World Series appearances and their 2008 championship. Howard was never the same at the plate after rupturing his Achilles tendon in the 2011 postseason. It's always difficult to see a guy like Ryan who loves the game of baseball show such a big decline late in his career.

Tommy Joseph seems to be the guy who will eventually take over every day first base responsibilities for the team. The former catcher turned first baseman has appeared in 10 games this season and is hitting .286 (10-for-35) with a double, three homers, four runs scored, five RBI's, 11 strikeouts and one walk. Mackanin said there was no point in bringing him up to have him sit onthe bench